January 2022

Spreading the word and growing the ownership base continues to be crucially important as we work toward building and opening Wild Onion Market.

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED AND APPRECIATED!  Wondering what you can do?

We found it! We are signing a lease this month for the Wild Onion Market retail location. There will be a big announcement for our Owners later in January, and for the public and press shortly thereafter. Make sure you have the first insider scoop! Join now at https://wildonionmarket.com/become-an-owner/. Our architect and store designers have visited the site and given it a big thumbs up. Our hope is to open the store in 2022. To start construction, we need capital, which means we need you to invest in your co-op and help us spread the word!

Have you heard? We’re almost ready to start the Capital Campaign to fund our very own Wild Onion Market. This is the most exciting time in the co-op’s history, and everyone can participate in building the store. Read on for answers to some of your burning questions about the Capital Campaign.

Why does Wild Onion Market need to conduct a Capital Campaign?

The short answer is that we need to have the funds to build the store. But also, co-ops have a unique legal structure that allows us to raise capital from Owners through Preferred Shares, Owner Loans, and tax-deductible donations. Food co-ops generally raise at least 50% of their capital funds from Owners. Capital from Owners is less costly and more flexible than bank financing, and it allows Owners the opportunity to exercise the co-operative principle of Economic Participation. The opportunity to invest in our local food system to build a more ethical, resilient, and sustainable food supply is a unique opportunity for our community.

Where will the money come from?

Some money may come from a bank loan, grants, or non-profit lending funds. But before we can secure commercial funding, we need to demonstrate that our whole community is behind us by raising funds from our Owners. That means that Owner investment in the Capital Campaign is the key to opening the doors.

What will the money do?

Investments will fund construction, hire staff, purchase equipment, and stock the shelves. We will strive to spend much of this money locally so that our market starts to benefit the community right now.

If I’m not an Owner yet, where do I come in?

If you haven’t joined as an Owner yet, you are still part of our community. You can spread the word about us and will be able to shop at the co-op when it opens. There are two things you can do right now to help get us there faster:

1) You can join Wild Onion Market today. The more Owners we have, the stronger we are.

2) You can also make a tax-deductible donation to the Capital Campaign. Scroll down and choose Wild Onion Market as the recipient of your gift. While only Owners have the opportunity to invest in the co-op, anyone can donate and help us build the store. 

If you have more questions about the Capital Campaign, email invest@wildonionmarket.com. If you’d like to volunteer with us from March through May on this exciting project, email ann@wildonionmarket.com. Get ready to fund the market so we can bring more local, sustainable food to our area!

Co-op Information Session/Meet & Greet Series: Join Wild Onion Market Board members and other Owners (and non-Owners) to learn about exciting next steps for our market, ownership, and our upcoming capital campaign to get the market open! We rely on our Owners to help your all-volunteer Board make things happen. Learn how you can draw on your talents and interests to volunteer on vitals projects such as our capital campaign.

We have four virtual sessions planned. Pop in during any of these times to talk, listen and ask questions:

• January 20, Thursday 7-7:45 PM
• January 30, Sunday 1-1:45 PM
• February 7, Monday 7-7:45 PM
• February 22, Tuesday 7-7:45 PM

ZOOM LINK: https://zoom.us/j/92616234252?pwd=bC9hTFVPS3h5YTZxTkF0Yzd3YmVoUT09

DIAL IN: +1 312 626 6799, Meeting ID: 926 1623 4252, Passcode: 157744  

January 19:  Capital Campaign Committee Meeting, 7-8 PM. Meetings are the third Tuesday of each month. Write mary@wildonionmarket.com or lisa.gordon@wildonionmarket.com for Zoom link.

January 20:  Info Session/Meet & Greet, 7-7:45 PM. Build co-op and community connection. New owners, interested folks, and co-op veterans are all welcome! See Zoom info above.

January 28:  Candidate applications are due for the upcoming Wild Onion Market Board elections. See below for more information.

January 30:  Info Session/Meet & Greet, 1-1:45 PM. See Zoom info above.

February 3: Wild Onion Market Board Meeting, 7-9 PM. All Owners are invited to all regular monthly board meetings. Write lisa.gordon@wildonionmarket.com for Zoom link. Any Owner running for a Board seat needs to have attended at least one Board meeting before elections open.

February 6:  Co-op Board Election voting begins.

February 7:  Info Session/Meet & Greet, 7-7:45 PM. See Zoom info above.

February 22:  Info Session/Meet & Greet, 7-7:45 PM. See Zoom info above.

March 6:  Annual Wild Onion Market Meeting, 1 PM on Zoom. Details will be emailed to Owners closer to the date.

Call to Action

 

Close your eyes…Visualize the doors on our store on opening day…

Feel the pride and excitement you feel as you walk through those doors, as you walk the aisles, as you make your first purchase, as you realize this is OUR store and WE made this happen together!

Join the Capital Campaign team to make the store a reality. We’ll raise the funds to build, staff, and stock Wild Onion Market. We’ll learn new skills, be part of a quick and satisfying project, and meet new people. Imagine the sense of accomplishment when we raise all the funds…It’s going to take EVERY ONE of us to reach the finish line of walking through those doors.

New to the co-op or new to fundraising? Worry not. We’ll be guided by two professionals steeped in experience with co-op fundraising. They will prepare and mentor us as we become an effective and confident team of Owners talking to Owners. Our team will follow up on the emails you’ve already seen, which are helping us learn the why, what, and how of the Capital Campaign. As a member of our team and trained caller, you’ll have materials to follow up with Owners to promote the campaign, answer questions, and guide fellow Owners to make investment choices best for them. No cold calling involved!

Take up this new opportunity – join the team! Email ann@wildonionmarket.com, she’s waiting to hear from you. Or join one of the upcoming info sessions, details are above in Events.

WE OWN IT, WE FUND IT!